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Phoenix Convention Center & Venues Celebrates 50 Years of Hosting Meetings and Events

By on September 29, 2022 0 287Views

On September 28, 2022, the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues​ celebrated 50 years since its initial grand opening in 1972. The original Phoenix Civic Plaza building also included the multi-purpose performing arts venue, Symphony Hall. Envisioned to serve as a center for cultural and theatrical performances, Symphony Hall complemented Phoenix Civic Plaza’s goal to grow the city’s convention and tourism business. Since that time, the Phoenix Civic Plaza and Symphony Hall have grown to become a driving force for downtown revitalization.

During the mid-80’s, the facility was expanded across Washington Street, and in the mid-90’s, underwent a $30 million renovation. After decades of residents and visitors enjoying a variety of events at the Civic Plaza, the facility underwent a $600 million expansion that tripled the size of the venues. The expansion project was completed in late 2008 and was reopened as the Phoenix Convention Center. The expanded convention center allowed Phoenix to host conventions, trade shows, and events on a national level. Since the completion of the expansion project, the Phoenix Convention Center has hosted approximately 2.7 million convention attendees representing 7.5 million hotel room nights and generates more than $300 million in direct visitor spending annually.

During this milestone year, the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues will celebrate the remarkable meetings and events it has hosted over the years, and the profound change in the downtown landscape since it was first established. With a dedicated team of 250+ employees, nearly one million square feet of rentable space, and a variety of essential amenities, the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues long-term commitment to excellence over the decades will be instrumental in its future of hosting innovative and exciting meetings and events.

The award-winning, GBAC STAR™ accredited, Phoenix Convention Center is one of the largest convention venues in the United States. It boasts nearly one million square feet of rentable meeting and event space. As a department of the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center is a vital economic enterprise for the state and local economy. The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues include the Phoenix Convention Center, Symphony Hall, Orpheum Theatre Phoenix and nine downtown parking facilities.

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues Facts

  • Phoenix Convention Center – Opened its doors on September 28, 1972
  • Generates an estimated $300 million in annual economic benefit from conventions.
  • Changes Over Time:
    • 1972: Phoenix Civic Plaza
      • Square Feet:  120,000
      • Meeting Rooms: 20
      • No. of Buildings: 1
    • 2022: Phoenix Convention Center & Venues
      • Square Feet: Nearly 1 million of rentable and outdoor space
      • Meeting Rooms: 99
      • No. of Buildings: 3
  • Symphony Hall – Opened its doors on September 29, 1972 (day after Phoenix Civic Plaza)
    • 2,312 —​ seat multipurpose theatre
    •  State-of-the-art lighting fixtures, audio, and video equipment
    •  Outdoor plaza with ancillary space
    •  Resident companies — Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, The Phoenix Symphony
  • Notable Events:
    • 1972 — First client in former Civic Plaza – Greenband Enterprise Boat Show
    • 1996 — Super Bowl XXX Media Headquarters
    • 2006 — First client in West Building (Capella University)
    • 2008 — Super Bowl XLII Media Headquarters
    • 2009 — First clients in North Building (USA Imaging and the American Meteorological Society)
    • 2009 — Largest convention (National Rifle Association; 63,000 delegates)
    • 2009 — U.S. Greenbuild Conference
    • 2009 — NBA All-Star Jam Session
    • 2010 — WWE Fan Axxess
    • 2011 — MLB All-Star Fan Fest
    • 2015 — Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience and Media Headquarters
    • 2017 — NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Fest
    • 2019 — WWE Royal Rumble Fan Axxess
    • 2023 — Coming Soon Super Bowl LVII Fan Experience
    • 2024 — Coming Soon NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Fest coming soon
    • 2026 — Coming Soon NCAA Women’s Final Four Fan Fest coming soon